Thoughts on Social Media, Soul Care, and Silence

I almost quit Facebook this week.

I was ready to disappear, with no warning to friends or family, those who “like” my professional page, the women in my “Faith and Sweat” Facebook group, or any of my business associates who communicate through a network of Facebook groups.

The political vitriol, the snarky and hateful comments responding to news accounts, the agendas, the noise – I was done with it all.

I closed the computer and put down the smartphone. I shifted into extreme self-care mode, which meant intentionally focusing only on what brings me joy.

I sat in silence. I got my hands dirty working in the yard. I listened to a couple of podcasts that inspired and redirected my energy. I focused on a project that needed attention and didn’t involve a computer. I read. I prayed. I picked up the phone, connecting in real time with real people. I ate a healthy lunch. I sat in silence.

We must develop some skill around this very thing, self-care, if we are going to survive the days and weeks ahead with our hearts and minds intact.

What brings you joy? What renews you? What feeds your soul?

This is not a call to bury our heads in the sand and ignore the suffering of the world. It’s not a call to give up all social media, cable TV and talk radio. I believe we must inform ourselves, and then we must be willing to walk away when necessary. And more often that means walking away and creating space even sooner than we think we should.

To turn off the TV.

To drive home without listening to the radio.

To fast from social media or perhaps unfollow a few friends.

To think.

 

To pray.

To ask, what is the change that WE can bring about in the world, for good?

To sit in silence.

And then, when we’ve restored our souls, to re-engage in the world – in person and perhaps online – with a fresh voice and new spirit.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.”

What’s your relationship like with social media? Does it consume more of your life than you’d like? If so, today, what about scheduling a time with yourself to intentionally fast from it? Can you do it for a few hours, a day, or even a weekend, if you think it’s a problem for you too? Share here your thoughts and experiences in the comments below or in our “Faith and Sweat” community.

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